Services

Oodles Therapy is a transdisciplinary practice that works to provide a holistic, wrap-around service for their clients and families. The Oodles team includes the following professions:

 

Speech Pathology

Speech-Language Pathologists (SLP's) are known by many names - Speech Pathologists, Speech Therapists, Swallowing or Talking Doctors or Speechies - regardless of the name, we all work the same.​ SLP's work with people across the lifespan to diagnose and treat communication difficulties and disorders. Communication is a broad scope, and communication breakdowns can be caused by a range of difficulties. This includes:  

• Using sounds correctly when talking

• Listening and understanding what others say

• Communicating effectively (e.g. speaking in sentences)

• Social skills (such as conversation skills and non-verbal communication)

• Alternative communication methods (e.g. Key Word Sign & communication devices)

• Reading and writing

• Stuttering

• Voice difficulties  ​

• Swallowing, feeding and drinking difficulties

They work with people who have difficulty communicating because of developmental delays, stroke, brain injuries, learning disability, intellectual disability, neurodevelopmental differences (e.g. Autism, FASD, ADHD), cerebral palsy, dementia and hearing loss, as well as other problems that can affect speech and language. People who are experiencing any of these difficulties ca be supported by an SLP to maximise their communication abilities.

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Occupational Therapy

Occupational therapists - also known as OT's - focus on enabling people to do the things they want in everyday life - these are their 'occupations'. Whether it is engaging with school, the workplace, at home or out in the community, OT's work to support people to live their lives to the fullest. 

​OT can support people across the lifespan, from babies to aged care. Occupational therapists focus on people holistically and understand that there are a range of factors that impact on the persons ability to complete everyday tasks. They believe in a collaborative approach to healthcare where interventions are client and family centred.​​

The scope of Occupational Therapy is extremely diverse, and is really only limited by the clients goals. In saying this, there are a number of area's in which OT's are regularly utilised for support:

• Fine and Gross Motor

• Sensory Processing

• Handwriting 

• Activities of Daily Living

• Environmental Modifications

• Mental Health

• Occupational Rehabilitation

• Functional Assessments​

OT's also work with individuals and groups to maximise their functionality in any and all areas of life - whether it be in your workplace, personal life or leisure activities - OT's can support you to reach your goals and engage fully with all of your pursuits.

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​Allied Health Assistance

AHA's, also known as therapy assistants, work under the supervision of allied health professionals to provide additional support and more integrated services for clients. AHA's are utilised to increase the frequency and consistency of access to allied health services for individuals with NDIS funding, and to increase the cpaacity of allied health services in remote areas such as this. The allied health professional completes sessions with the client at regular intervals, and provides upskilling and training to the AHA to implement therapy activities on a more regular basis between sessions.  

At Oodles, AHA's work closely with the Speech-Language Pathologists and Occupational Therapists to provide more regular services to clients and support them to meet their goals. This may include:

• Planning sessions to align with client goals (based on the results of assessment and treatment plans as outlined by the SLP/OT)

• Implementing more regular sessions with clients between seeing the SLP/OT

• Providing feedback to SLP/OT of progress towards goals

• Assisting SLP/OT to facilitate group programs 

It is important to note that clients must have occasional sessions with the relevant allied health

professional as well as with the allied health assistants. AHA's are not qualified to diagnose medical

conditions or determine therapy plans; they are supported to implement the plans as designed by

the allied health professional. 

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Specialist Services​

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Functional Capacity Assessment (with or without SIL/SDA assessment)

A Functional Capacity Assessment analyses a person's functional performance in everyday activities in their home and community. This assessment is an essential part of identifying and documenting an individuals funding needs for an NDIS plan. SIL/SDA assessments are used to support individuals to access supported accommodation to allow them to live as independently as possible. 

A comprehensive, well-completed Functional Capacity Assessment can assist with ensuring that NDIS participants have the right level of support and funding to achieve their goals and needs. Functional Capacity Assessments are generally completed by allied health professionals. 

A Functional Capacity Assessment is individualised for each client. The assessment process will be interview-based to explore the clients difficulties and needs, which may be supplemented by screening assessments as required. 

Following the assessment, a comprehensive report will be compiled which will be provided to the client and (with consent) to the NDIA. 

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​Comprehensive Autism Assessment

A comprehensive Autism Assessment is individualised based on the child, however will likely include many of the following:  

• A comprehensive parent interview/case history

• Formal observation and assessment using the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS-2)

• An assessment of adaptive functioning using the Vineland Adaptive Behaviour Scales (VABS-3)

• Specific OT and/or SLP assessments as required - based on case history (e.g. language development, sensory processing)

• Information gathering from other sources (e.g. preschool or school)

Following the assessment, a feedback session with the parents/carers will be provided which will outline the outcomes of the assessments and provide you the opportunity to ask questions. A detailed report will also be provided, which will detail the outcomes of the assessments and include recommendations for ongoing therapy and support. ​

Note: allied health professionals are unable to formally diagnose Autism Spectrum Disorder - this can only been done by a doctor. The Autism Assessment process however, does collect all the relevant information that a doctor will require to make this formal diagnosis. 

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Learning Disorder Assessments (dyslexia, dysgraphia)

While most people are familiar with the term dyslexia for a reading disorder, there are a number of different types of learning difficulties that children may struggle with. The Oodles team is able to conduct assessment and intervention for a number of different types of learning disorders that impact an individuals ability to read and write. 

It is important to note that a formal diagnosis of a learning disorder requires a 6-month period of access to evidence-based instruction (explicit teaching of reading/writing skills). Given this, we typically conduct a baseline assessment, a period of intervention and a follow-up assessment in order to provide a diagnosis of a learning disorder. For more information about this process, please contact us. 

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Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) Assessment (partial)

​FASD is a neurological condition caused by exposure to alcohol during pregnancy. FASD can impact individuals in a wide variety of ways, are diagnosis requires a comprehensive assessment by a multidisciplinary team. The Oodles Therapy clinicians are able to complete parts of this assessment process, and can collaborate with other organisations to consolidate assessment data and formulate a diagnosis. Our team is able to assess the following domains as part of a FASD diagnostic process: 

• Language

• Motor

• Adaptive Functioning

• Academic Achievement

Note: allied health professionals are unable to formally diagnose Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder - this can only been done by a doctor. 

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Group Programs

​The Oodles team runs a range of different group programs to cater to their clients needs, including social skills programs, AAC programs, Circle of Security and more. To find out what programs we are currently running, please contact us. 

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